Cody Follis ’13 is pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer and politician, participating in forensics while studying political science. Merissa Burnett ’13 wants to go into law enforcement and works at Campus Safety. Alexandra Williams ’13 is furthering her passion for music by majoring in jazz studies and plans on graduate school to become a professor of music.

More than 100 students from across the country traveled to North Central College for the 2012 Blue Key National Conference, which took place Jan. 13-14.

The students represented 13 different colleges and universities, ranging from the University of Portland in Oregon to Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Over the course of the conference, students had the opportunity to participate in a vast array of activities.

Throughout its 150-year history North Central College has demonstrated its commitment to the principles of equality and nonviolence.

During January, North Central College celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of events and activities. As part of a yearlong celebration of its Sesquicentennial, the College’s 2012 observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Week is particularly significant.

Humanitarian Samantha Nutt will address honors students from across the nation Jan. 13 when North Central College hosts the 2012 Blue Key National Conference.

Humanitarian Samantha Nutt, an authority on how war impacts civilians, will address honors students from across the nation Jan. 13 when North Central College hosts the 2012 Blue Key National Conference.

The Blue Key Honor Society recognizes college students at senior institutions of higher education for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. Nearly 120 students are expected to participate in the three-day national conference Jan. 13-15.

Whitney plans to practice family, adoption or immigration law. “I want to help make peoples’ lives better, and it was North Central that helped me discover this passion.”

Her pre-law studies helped her “write, speak and think like a lawyer,” she says. And experiences such as tutoring at the Writing Center, giving oral presentations, conducting peer mediation training, and working as a co-editor of the Illinois State Bar Association newsletter were all part of her preparation. Her involvement in service projects uncovered her passion to advocate for others.

Two internships gave her real-world experiences in courtrooms and attorney’s offices. One involved working in a county prosecutor’s office with domestic violence cases. “The attorney let me read the cases and police reports, draft letters to witnesses and talk with them, and research individuals.” Another involved working with case workers and court-appointed special advocates in cases of child neglect or abuse.Whitney received a merit scholarship to attend Valparaiso University School of Law.

North Central College’s Mock Trial team took fourth place (of 14 teams) at Quincy University Riverside Classic Oct. 22; three students win top awards.

North Central College’s Mock Trial Team earned fourth place (among 14 competing teams) at the eighth annual Quincy University Riverside Classic, which was held at the Adams County Courthouse in Quincy, Ill., Oct. 22.

Niyah Banks ’15 earned an Outstanding Witness Award and Jennifer Rieger ’13 earned an Outstanding Attorney Award. Both students are political science majors. Alexis Ledbetter ’12, majoring in theatre and psychology, earned awards for both Outstanding Witness and Outstanding Attorney.

Future law student Josh Bailey is named the College’s Outstanding Senior Man, the highest award presented to a male member of the Class of 2011.

June 3, 2011—Joshua Bailey, a North Central College senior majoring in English writing and political science, was named the College’s Outstanding Senior Man, the highest award presented to a member of the Class of 2011.

A Galesburg, Ill., resident, he is the son of Brian and Patty Bailey and a graduate of Galesburg High School.

The Outstanding Senior Man award was presented in May at North Central College’s Honors Convocation, an annual spring event that recognizes student excellence in academics and co-curricular activities.

Tom Cavenagh, Schneller Sisters Professor of Leadership, Ethics and Values, was recently awarded the Austin Fleming Editor Award for his role as editor-in-chief of the Illinois State Bar Association publication “In the Alternative.” This award is the highest prize given to Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) editors.

The congratulatory letter from the ISBA read, “That makes you a member of a small, elite group of editors who, since 1981, have been recognized for truly outstanding service to the ISBA.”

Jacqueline Milbratz Aldrich argued before the Illinois Supreme Court on November 10, 2010, in People vs. Skryd, a case that challenged a judge’s exercise of jurisdiction and compliance with two competing Illinois Supreme Court rules. She’s an attorney at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. in Woodridge, IL. She lives with her husband, Adrian Aldrich ’02, director of alumni relations at North Central College, and their children Caden, 4, and Addison, 2, and may be reached at jacqueline_aldrich@hotmail.com.